Top 5 Methods for Fighting Ticks and Fleas   Have ticks and fleas got you down? Having trouble keeping them away from your pets or your house? Would you like some free veterinary guidance on how to permanently get rid of fleas and ticks?   Here are my top five suggestions for overcoming flea and tick infestations.   1. Use products that are effective in killing fleas and ticks quickly.   Today, both over-the-counter and prescription flea and tick prevention medications are widely available, but how can you know which dog flea and tick control is the best?   Three important things should be considered when selecting a flea and tick prevention product:   Good lingering activities (which means it keeps killing fleas and ticks over time) Quick and effective eradication Heightened safety   Isoxazolines   Isoxazolines, such as Simparica, NexGard, and Bravecto, are the current flea and tick treatments available for dogs that I advise. All of these prescription medications to combat flea and tick infestations are only accessible with a prescription from your veterinarian.   Within two to four hours, isoxazolines begin killing fleas and ticks, and they continue to do so for weeks.   Simparica and NexGard are available as chewable tablets and are intended for monthly dosing. Bravecto is available as a chewable tablet and a topical solution, and its label calls for dosage every 12 weeks (or three months).   Isoxazolines may have negative neurological effects, according to a warning the FDA issued last year, but most animals are still thought to be safe from these medications. Always seek your veterinarian's advice on the top flea and tick remedies for your particular pet.   Spinosad   Pet owners also have the choice of prescription flea and tick medications like Comfortis, which employ spinosad.   The chewable tablet form of these prescription flea and tick preventatives is also given monthly. Both dogs and cats can use flea and tick preventatives containing spinosad.   The fact that spinosad treatments kill fleas quickly—within 30 minutes—is one of their main advantages. But are dog flea medications safe? Vomiting is a frequent side effect of spinosad flea and tick products. For this reason, it is advised to take the tablet with food.   Imidacloprid and Flumethrin   Dog and cat flea and tick collars may be preferred by certain pet parents. In order to protect dogs and cats from fleas and ticks for up to eight months, Seresto sells flea and tick collars that combine imidacloprid and flumethrin.   The eight-month lifespan and ease of upkeep of these flea and tick collars are advantages. Additionally, gloves are not required to be used when handling the collars.   But this might not be your best choice if you like to take your dog swimming. According to the manufacturer, Seresto's ability to control fleas is lowered to five months for dogs who swim more frequently than once per month, while its ability to control ticks is reduced to seven months.   As you can see, the options are plentiful. Your local veterinarian is the best source for information in your area because they can advise you on what works and what doesn't.     2. Select a tick-and-flea prevention method that eliminates all stages of the flea life cycle.   It is not sufficient to only eliminate adult fleas; you must also prevent their reproduction. Given the brief flea life cycle, it makes sense to choose flea and tick treatment that can eliminate fleas at all stages of development.   In as little as 48 hours after feeding on a pet, a flea can begin laying 40–50 eggs every day.   If you have a severe flea infestation, you'll want to know what rapidly kills fleas on dogs. You'll need a flea and tick preventative in this situation that also kills flea eggs and inhibits the development of fleas in their larval and pupal stages.   Products containing lufenuron, such as Sentinel, are a suitable option for dogs. Flea larvae cannot develop into adult fleas because lufenuron stops their growth.   However, if your pet has a flea infestation, see your veterinarian to determine the best course of action.   3. Provide Care for All Household Pets   You must tackle each active host and potential host of the fleas to stop a reinfestation. This entails treating each pet you have inside your home with the same care you give it.   Even after treating the dog, the cat can still have fleas that might re-infest your home and dog. It is best to treat all household pets, even if you only notice fleas on one of them.     4. Locate flea dens and treat them right away.   Your pet may occasionally acquire fleas if he wanders into or through a flea den. When a flea-infested animal remains in one location, such as on a pile of leaves or beneath a porch, a flea den forms. Fleas and their eggs fall off onto the ground as the animal sleeps.   Your dog or cat will naturally be interested in these regions since they smell intriguing. If your dog or cat comes upon one, they might investigate and come home with fleas.   5. Use a vacuum cleaner to combat flea infestations in your home   Flea eggs have found their way into and around your home if a pet in your house has been struggling with a flea infestation. Flea eggs are shed by their hosts when they move, and as a result, they wind up in your carpets, furniture, and upholstery.   According to one study, vacuuming can be an efficient approach to gather and eliminate fleas in your house at every life cycle, regardless of the type of vacuum you use. Additionally, vacuum your pet's bedding, carriers, and any other resting areas.